Device for protecting against shocks capable of equipping a bottle

ABSTRACT

A device for protecting against shocks for a glass bottle is presented, having a body, a bottom and a distal portion successively comprising from the body, a shoulder, a collar and a neck, said device comprising a first cup engaging with the bottom and a second cup engaging with the shoulder, each of the cups having a projecting portion for damping shocks, along a transversal plane, beyond a zone of a larger diameter of the bottle. The projecting portion of at least one from among the first and the second cups includes a plurality of damping pads spaced apart from one another.

DOMAIN OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a device for protecting againstshocks which can be used for containers of the bottle type, morespecifically glass bottles.

A preferred application relates to pharmaceutical products, andpreferably those for veterinary use, these products being advantageouslyin liquid form.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Products for veterinary use, for example those used in farms, are oftencontained in glass containers (vials, flasks, bottle, etc.). Given theconditions wherein they are used, it is not rare that vials avoid beingheld by the operator (the veterinary surgeon or the farmer) and areinadvertently dropped on the ground during the handling of the productor movements. Thus, it occurs that the vials break. Regarding the costof certain products, this loss has practical consequences (delay in theadministration of the medication to the animal) and economicconsequences (necessary replacement of the product to treat the animal).

Current protections for pharmaceutical products available on the marketare plastic boxes which surround the vial containing the pharmaceuticalproduct. They are expensive and have, in particular, as a disadvantage,that it is not possible to visually control the product level in thevial, the latter being very widely hidden by the plastic box. The usermust thus remove the vial from the protection thereof who, due to this,loses their interest.

International application WO2014128179 A1 describes a device forprotecting against shocks comprising an upper shell and a lower shelleach including a stiffener in the form of a circular volume whichextends projecting from the inner face of the cup making it possible toprotect the vial in case of shock.

Moreover, patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,586 A1 discloses aprotective device for glass containers, this device comprising two coverelements, one applicable at the level of the bottom of the container andthe other applicable at the level of the shoulder of the latter. Bymeans of a thermosetting material, equivalently described asthermosetting element, which is retracted around the container, anintimate engagement between the cover elements and the container isproduced. Moreover, a visual access to the content is possible in thezone of the container situated at an intermediate level between the twocover elements. However, the capacity to dampen shocks conferred by thistechnical solution is not very convincing even though, under practicalconditions wherein a fall of the container occurs up to human handling,the probabilities of breaking the glass container are highly increased.Moreover, the use of thermosetting material is not adapted to bottlescontaining heat-sensitive medications.

An aim of the present technique is to improve current protectivetechniques. Another aim of the technique is to propose an ergonomicalternative, easily grippable and is easily held in the hand of theoperator.

SUMMARY

A first non-limiting aspect relates to a device for protecting againstshocks capable of equipping a bottle, preferably a glass bottle, havinga cylindrical body of completed revolution, at a first end, by a bottomand, at a second end opposite the first end, by a distal portionsuccessively comprising from the body, along a longitudinal direction ofthe bottle, a shoulder, a collar and a neck, said device comprising afirst cup configured to engage with the bottom of the bottle and asecond cup configured to engage with the shoulder of the bottle, each ofthe first and second cups having a projecting portion for damping theshocks, along a transversal plane which is perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction, beyond a zone of larger diameter of the bottle.

Advantageously, but in a non-limiting manner, according to a separableaspect, the portion projecting from the damping portion of at least onefrom among the first and the second cup includes a plurality of dampingpads spaced apart from one another.

Thus, the pads confer to the cup which comprises them, a discontinuouscircumference around the bottle. The pads form elements having a certaindegree of freedom of movement against one another when they are urgedduring a shock. This freedom provides a better absorption of energyduring shocks. Indeed, the deformation of the pads, preferably elastic,is larger than in the case of a damper continuously crossing thecircumference of the bottle, if even more energy can be absorbed.

Advantageously, but in a non-limiting manner, according to anotherseparable aspect, the portion projecting from the damping portion of atleast one from among the first and the second cup is made of anelastomer, preferably an elastomer silicone or a thermoplastic elastomerpolyurethane (TPE-U or TPU).

Another non-limiting aspect relates to a shock-resistant container,comprising: a bottle, preferably a glass bottle, having a cylindricalbody of completed revolution, at a first end, by a bottom and, at asecond end opposite the first end, by a distal portion successivelycomprising from the body, along a longitudinal direction of the bottle,a shoulder, a collar and a neck, and a device as described above.

Another non-limiting aspect relates to a method for assembling aprotective device and a bottle, preferably comprising the implementationof the first cup and of the second cup around the bottle, by enlargingby elastic deformation of the material of the cups or by forcefulinsertion.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, aims and advantages will appear upon reading thefollowing detailed description, and regarding the appended drawingsgiven as non-limiting examples, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment applied to abottle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the device according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the device according to asecond embodiment;

FIGS. 4 to 6 present three possible alternatives for forming pads with,respectively, solid, empty and hollow forms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present application, the term “about”, when it is used, meansthat the value can vary by more or less 10%.

Optionally, the optional features below can be incorporated, which couldbe used in association or alternatively:

-   -   at least one from among the first 2 and the second cups 3        includes a base 20, 30 having an inner hollow portion of        circular cross-section along the transversal plane 19, the inner        portion being capable of engaging by contact with the        circumferential surface of the bottle 1, the plurality of        damping pads 4 being carried by an outer portion of the base 20,        30;    -   at least some of the plurality of pads 4 is regularly        distributed over the base 20 along the transversal plane 19;    -   at least some of the plurality of pads 4 is arranged in a ring        along the transversal plane 19;    -   the pads 4 of the plurality of pads 4, each include a peak 41,        the cumulated surface area of the peaks 41 being less than 75%        of that of the outer portion of the base 20, 30, and preferably        less than 65%;    -   at least one of the plurality of pads 4 is solid and is made of        a material which has a Shore A hardness comprised between 20 and        95, advantageously between 20 and 85, and preferably between 50        and 85;    -   at least one of the plurality of pads 4 has an inner cavity;    -   the inner cavity opens out at the level of the inner portion of        the base 20, 30;    -   the at least one of the plurality of pads 4 having an inner        cavity is made of a material which has a Shore A hardness        greater than 80, advantageously, greater than 90, and preferably        greater than 95; these ranges can optionally extend as including        a tolerance margin of more or less 10%;    -   the plurality of pads 4 comprises at least one pad 4 of form        selected from among: a polyhedron such as a truncated pyramid, a        nib of circular or square cross-section, a mushroom, a        half-sphere, a half-ellipsoid, a cone or a cone frustum;    -   at least one from among the first 2 and the second cup 3 is made        of a non-thermosetting material;    -   the plurality of pads 4 is made of elastomer;    -   the protective device only consists of the first 2 and second        cups 3;    -   the first cup 2 includes a portion for covering the bottom 20 of        the bottle 1, said portion comprising a suction cup;    -   at least one from among the first 2 and the second cup 3        comprises a preferably rupture zone, preferably in the        longitudinal direction of the bottle;

in particular in an embodiment, the first cup 3 includes a fragilityzone or preferable rupture zone in the longitudinal direction of thebottle, facilitating the disconnection of the first cup 3 and of thebottle; in particular, in an embodiment, the second cup 2 includes afragility zone or preferable rupture zone in the longitudinal directionof the bottle and/or in the portion for covering the bottom 20 of thebottle 1, facilitating the disconnection of the first cup 2 and of thebottle;

-   -   the first cup 2 and the second cup 3 are formed of a material        which is compatible with operations for recycling the material        forming the bottle 1;    -   the first cup 2 and/or the second cup 3 has a means for visually        controlling the product level, equivalently described as        controlling element, in the vial, advantageously in the form of        a recess or a plurality of recesses in the first cup 2 and/or        the second cup 3, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the        bottle;    -   the first cup 2 and/or the second cup 3 is formed in whole or in        part of a transparent or translucid material, in particular for        making it possible to visually control the product level in the        vial,    -   the first cup 2 and the second cup 3 are formed of a        biodegradable or recyclable material;    -   the first cup 2 and/or the second cup 3 can have a means for        fastening the bottle to a support, equivalently described as        fastening element.

Generally, the device is intended to be used for bottles, andparticularly bottles which are reputed for being easily breakable giventhe intrinsic fragility of the material which composes them, the glassor also hard plastic materials. It can also be used with containers ofwhich the content is brittle or erodible, such as pharmaceuticaltablets. It has been observed by the applicant that it is advantageouslymade possible to decrease the physical degradation of the tabletscontained in a pill container minimising the intensity of the shocks dueto the falling of the container.

According to the present application, by “bottle”, this means anycontainer capable of receiving a product to be stored. The terms “vial”,“flask”, or others are considered as contained in the expression“bottle”. The product to be stored can be in solid form, such astablets, in particular pharmaceutical tablets, or in liquid form.Preferably, this is a product in liquid form. The bottle includes abottom which forms the lower portion of it and generally configured soas to enable the holding in vertical position of the bottle when it isplaced on a flat support.

The bottom is situated at a first end, lower end, of a body or drum. Thelatter is a cylindrical, hollow portion of circular cross-section, ofwhich the directrix extends along a longitudinal direction of thebottle. At a second end, upper end opposite the lower end, the body iscontinued by a distal portion provided with a shoulder which forms atransition zone between the diameter of the body and the diameter of theupper portion of the bottle, the collar thereof.

The shoulder is thus itself of circular cross-section, but degressivetowards the distal end of the bottle. The collar carries, itself, themouth of the bottle, at the level of the neck thereof. The collar canhave a fixed circular cross-section.

FIG. 1 gives a purely indicative example of such a bottle 1. Alongitudinal direction 18 is defined there. Along this direction 18, thebottle 1 extends from the bottom 10 and includes a body 11 which hereforms the major portion of the height of the bottle 1. The bottom 10 andthe body 11 are connected by a fillet of the bottom 10, of convex form.At the second end thereof, the body 11 joins a transition portion, alsocalled shoulder 12, at the level of a first connecting portion 13 ofconvex form. At this place, the diameter of the bottle starts todecrease. In the case illustrated, the shoulder 12 is ended by a secondconnecting portion 14 of the concave type being continued by the collar15 of the bottle 1. The distal end of the latter is formed by the neck16 having the mouth 17 making it possible for the insertion and thedischarge of the product contained in the bottle 1. Of course, a closingdevice, typically a stop, can equip the bottle 1. It will be noted thatthe neck 16 can be threaded to engage with a such a stop. When theproduct contained in the bottle must be removed with a syringe, themouth can be equipped with a septum or a transfer stop, for example atransfer stop of Adapta cap type (commercialised by the company Baxter),a transfer stop such as that described in international application WO2016/166197, in particular a transfer stop such as that described ininternational application WO2018109215. Advantageously, the stop isseparate from the protective device; it is preferably not covered by thecups 2, 3. Preferably, the second cup 3 covers a zone of the containerwhich is strictly below the collar so as to not interfere with the stop.

To prevent the breaking of a bottle in case of falling, a trivialsolution consists of cover all of the outer surface of the bottle with areinforcing element, for example a coating in the form of film orenvelope made of thermoretractable polymer material. Advantageously, theprotective device does not comprise such coatings and, on the contrary,proposes a protective device consisting only of separate and distantelements, spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the bottle.Preferably, the device only comprises two elements, subsequently calledfirst cup and second cup.

Each of the cups has a contact surface with the outer wall of a bottle1, so as to be positionable, preferably fixedly, on such a bottle 1. By“fixedly”, this means when the cup is in a suitable position on thebottle 1, it is secured to this bottle under normal conditions of use,outside of a specific effort of the user to seek to remove it.Preferably, this contact surface is defined by a cup base. This base hasan inner portion, of which the surface is designed complementarily tothe surface of the bottle wall portion on which it is intended to beapplied.

In the embodiments illustrated, a first cup 2 is intended to engage withthe bottom 10 of the bottle 1. Although this is not absolutelynecessary, it is advantageous that this cup 2 includes a portion 22 forcovering the bottom 10 of the bottle 1 and a portion 21 for partiallycovering the body 11. In this configuration, this first cup 2 defines ablind cavity and which can be snap-fitted by the bottom 10 of thebottle.

When the first cup 2 does not include any portion 22 for covering thebottom 10 of the bottle 1, the fixing of this cup 2 is done mainly bythe portion 21 thereof covering the body. This portion 21 isconsequently advantageously cylindrical, of circular cross-section, of adiameter configured to enable the snap-fitting of the first cup 2 aroundthe body 11 of the bottle 1. The length of the snap-fitting, along thelongitudinal direction 18 of the bottle 1 can vary according to theheight of the body 11, of the resistance to the desired disconnection oralso of the height of the desired uncovered zone for the bottle 1.

According to a first possibility, the material of the first cup 2 isrigid, for example in the form of a thermoplastic polymer, and thediameter thereof has a clamped adjustment relative to the diameter ofthe body 11 of the bottle 1.

According to another possibility, the material of the first cup 2 is anelastomer, such as natural rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or anelastomer silicone. In the sense of the present application, by“elastomer”, this means any polymer which, when it is deformed at theambient temperature, rapidly finds the size thereof and the originalform thereof when the constraint at the origin of the deformation hasbeen removed.

Elastomers having the features which are suitable for the deviceaccording to the present application are available on the market.Generic examples are natural rubber; thermoplastic elastomers such asthermoplastic elastomer olefins (TPE-O), styrene thermoplasticelastomers (TPE-S), vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer polypropylenes(TPE-V), copolyester thermoplastic elastomers (TPE-E), thermoplasticelastomer polyurethanes (TPE-U or TPU), and thermoplastic elastomerpolyamides (TPE-A or TPA); and elastomer silicones. This is preferablythermoplastic elastomer polyurethanes (TPE-U or TPU) and elastomersilicones. Advantage can thus be drawn from the quite high frictioncoefficient of these types of materials for the holding on the bottle,that is also applying the first cup by deformation. In such a scenario,it is possible to extend elastically the material of the first cup to asto arrange around the bottle, then to release it.

Another option consists of using an assembly element between the cup 2and the bottle 1; it can be glue or any other form of seal.

With the aim of reducing the ecological impact of the cups, thematerials forming the cups are preferably recyclable or biodegradable.Thus, once the bottle is emptied of the content thereof, the cups can beseparated from the bottle to be sent into a specific reprocessingcircuit or reused in producing new products.

The term “biodegradable” is applied to materials which can decompose ina favourable environment (temperature, humidity, light, oxygen, etc.)and/or under the action of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae)without any damaging effect on the environment by emitting, for example,water, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and/or methane (CH₄). Biodegradable materialcan, for example, be compostable.

The term “recyclable” is applied to materials which, after the usethereof in cups, can be collected and reused for producing an identicalor different product. For example, 50% of elastomer silicones arecurrently reused in elastic coated road coverings or sport equipmentgrounds.

According to a possibility, the base 21 of the cup 2 is made of a firstmaterial, in particular those described above, and at least one otherportion of the cup 2 is made of a second material, differing from thefirst. Optionally, the second material has a hardness less than that ofthe first. The elasticity module thereof, Young's modulus, can besmaller. Thus, more flexible or softer cup portion can be had. This canbe useful to adjust the absorption of shocks, in particular when thesecond material is used for a damping portion described below.

This portion can be, for example, made of elastomer, while the base ofthe cup can be made of a non-elastomer polymer, for example,thermosetting.

Preferably, a material meeting the constraints above, and not requiringremoval from the bottle 1 during glass recycling steps will be used. Inparticular, the material used can be compatible with the processing ofrecycling the bottle; it can be a calcination during the melting of theglass, for example. Any processing capable of making the material fromdevice disappear (for example, by transforming it into materialequivalent to that for recycling the container) during the recycling ofthe material of the bottle is considered as compatible.

Complementarily, or alternatively, at least one of the cups can containa preferable rupture zone making it possible to remove it from thebottle 1. This zone can be a fragility zone; it can be a zone forconcentrating mechanical stresses due to a decrease of cross-section ofthe cup at this place, to resorting to a material less resistant to thisplace, to a rupture onset (by a notch or precuts) at this place; forexample, a portion of the cup can be finer or also be a precutting zone,as those that can be found on cans, facilitating the rupture of cups.

The first cup 2 and/or the second cup 3 can comprise an element forfixing the bottle to a support, in order to avoid having to hold it byhand. The presence of this fixing means, equivalently described asfixing element, moreover reduces the risks of the bottle falling, thisbeing retained by said element for fixing to a support.

The element for fixing the bottle can be arranged on the cup 2, on thecup 3 or on the two cups, according to the use which is made of thebottle.

This element can be, for example, a precut zone arranged in the portion22 for covering the bottom 10 of the bottle 1 which could be separatedfrom the covering of the bottom 10 and provided with an orifice, whereina fixing hook can pass. It can also be a hook or a snap hook, forexample moulded in the material forming the cup or made of metal,advantageously applied in the moulded body of the cup.

The fixing element can be centred on the portion 22 so as to balance thecontainer when it is suspended. In the case where a suction cup effectis produced by the portion 22 on the bottom, it can be used to increasethe retention of the cup 2 on the bottle, even when a traction isperformed on the fixing element.

Such a fixing element is, for example, advantageous when the productcontained in the bottle must be administered by perfusion. In such acase, the fixing element is situated on the cup 2, preferably in thecovering of the bottom 10 which makes it possible to suspend the bottleto a perfusion base.

The fixing element can also be used for attaching the bottle to a cordaround the neck or to the belt of the user. The fixing element thusmakes it possible for the user to transport the product while keepingtheir hands free for their operations. The fixing element isparticularly advantageous for veterinary surgeons or for farmers whomust administer a product by injection to a large number of animalsrepeatedly, for example in a stable as it makes it possible for them tohave use of both their hands once the quantity is sampled in the bottle.

The device further includes a second cup 3 spaced apart from the firstcup 2 along the longitudinal direction 18. Preferably, it can bepositioned at the level of the shoulder 12 of the bottle 1. In the caseillustrated, the second cup 3 includes a base 30 engaging with the wallof the bottle 1, in particular at the level of the shoulder 12. Giventhe transition of diameter of this portion of the bottle, the second cup3 advantageously includes an equivalent profile, i.e. with a progressivedecrease of the inner diameter thereof. In the most common case, of ashoulder 12 of convex connection profile from the body 11 then concavetowards the collar 15, the second cup 3 can, for example, follow thesame form as the convex portion of the shoulder 12. Preferably, at leastone of the cups covers the portion(s) of the container which have thelargest transversal dimension (i.e. generally the largest diameter for acontainer of circular cross-section); this can be in particular the caseat the level of the shoulder 12.

A portion of the second cup 3 is applied moreover advantageously on anupper end portion of the body 11. Thus, as in the case of the first cup2, the second cup 3 includes an inner cylindrical portion 31 applicableon the body 11 and, optionally, an additional portion, here applicableat the level of the shoulder 12 and optionally at the level of thecollar 15. In this context, the second cup 3 therefore frames theshoulder, which is advantageous as it is a cross-section enlarging zonethat it is useful to cover, as it is a favoured shock zone; what ismore, this can be a zone for concentrating mechanical stresses due tothe cross-section variation.

The description given above concerning the materials and the methods forfixing the first cup 2 is applicable to the second cup 3. It is notnecessary, but only preferred, that the materials and the fixing methodsare identical between the two cups 2 and 3. Preferably, the bases 20, 30of the cups 2 and 3 continuously cover the portions of the surface ofthe bottle on which they are applied.

Advantageously, the cumulated height of the cylindrical portions 21, 31of the first and second cups 2 and 3 in contact with the body 11 of thebottle 1 represents less than one half, and preferably less than onethird, of the height of the body 11. Thus, a good visual access is hadto the content of the bottle 1 if the body 11 is transparent or at theleast, translucid.

According to a variant, the visual access to the content of the bottleis facilitated by the presence, in the first cup 2 and/or the second cup3 of a member for visually controlling the product level in the vial.

Such a control of the product level is particularly advantageous, as itmakes it possible to evaluate the number of remaining doses when theproduct is, for example, administered with a syringe or in the case of aperfusion, namely at which moment the bottle must be changed.

The member for controlling the product level in the vial can be arrangedin the first cup 2 when the bottle is intended to be used with the headat the bottom, where in the second cup 3 when the bottle is intended tobe used with the head at the top or in the two cups.

This means for visually controlling the product level, or equivalentlycontrolling element, in the vial can have different forms. It can be arecess or a plurality of recesses arranged in the longitudinal directionof the bottle. By “recess”, this means a zone of the cup not having anymaterial making it possible for a visual access to the content of thebottle.

Alternatively, the member for visually controlling the product level inthe vial can result in the use of a transparent or sufficientlytranslucid material to have a visual access to the content of the bottleto manufacture the cup. The transparent material can form all of the cupor only one portion of it, preferably in the form of a line arranged inthe longitudinal direction of the bottle.

The means for visually controlling the product, or equivalentlycontrolling element, can also be accompanied by a graduation such as anindication of the remaining volume or of the number of remaining doses.

According to a preferred variant, the first and the second cup 2 and 3each include a fragility zone or preferably rupture zone in thelongitudinal direction 18 of the bottle. This preferable rupture zonemakes it possible for the operator, if the materials forming the bottleand cups must not be removed in the same circuit for reprocessing waste,for example if the materials forming the cups are biodegradable orrecyclable, to make it possible and/or to facilitate the disconnectionof the cups 2 and 3 and of the bottle 1 and to remove, as waste, thebottle 1 and the cups 2 and 3, each in the respective circuits thereforfor reprocessing waste. It is a clear advantage for respecting theenvironment, which is particularly important in the pharmaceuticalfield.

Also, according to another variant, the first cup 2 and the second cup 3are formed of a material compatible with the operations of recycling thematerial forming the bottle 1.

Below in the description, a radial orientation along which thecross-section of the body 11 is circular is defined by a transversalplane 19 (which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecylindrical body of the bottle). The orientation of this plane 19 is, inparticular represented in FIG. 3.

It is understood that to be able to effectively protect the bottle 1,the device must generally come into contact with a surface on which thebottle 1 can be broken before the outer wall of the bottle.

Starting with the principle that such a surface is generally the groundand/or is substantially flat, it must be that the cups have portionsextending along the transversal plane, beyond the largest dimensions ofthe bottle along this direction, i.e. beyond the diameter of the body.Thus, in case of a fall, it is a priority of either of the cups whichwill come into contact with the surface on which the bottle could bebroken. In this context, the cups 2 and 3 include a damping portion ofwhich at least one portion extends radially beyond the body so as toform an excrescence on the bottle along the transversal plane. Thedimension of this extension is not limiting, but preferably, thethickness of a damping portion can represent a projection of at least 5%of the diameter of the body.

The damping portion comprises a plurality of pads 4.

By “pad”, this means any element having a form projecting to the surfaceof the considered cup 2 or 3 without it covering only all of thecircumference of the cup. The damping portion is therefore not acontinuous protrusion surrounding the bottle 1. These pads 4 formdamping elements made on either side of one another on at least one ofthe cups 2, 3 by projecting radially from the portion of the cup incontact with the bottle 1. By “radially”, this means that the pads havea component directed outwards in the transversal plane; for all that,the pads can have another component, for example, along the longitudinaldirection, so as to have an inclination relative to the transversalplane; in the transversal plane, the pads 4 do not have, moreover,necessarily, a direction directed along a radius of the body of thebottle.

An assumption is not made on the forms and dimensions of the pads 4.Furthermore, pads 4 of different forms and/or dimensions can coexist onone same cup.

Said damping elements in the form of pads can have any geometry: conic,triangular, pyramidic, cylindrical, polyhedric, ellipsoidal.

Advantageously, they are of polyhedric form, preferably parallelepipedor cubic. They can have an axial symmetry along the direction ofextension thereof outwards from the cup.

Preferably, all the damping elements of a cup have the same form, whichis preferably parallelepiped or cubic or truncated pyramid.

According to an embodiment, at least some of the pads 4 are regularlyspaced apart so as to periodically surround all of the circumference ofthe bottle 1. In this context, in the transversal plane 19, the gapbetween any two adjacent pads is constant. Alternatively orcomplementarily, the pads 4 can be regularly spaced apart along thelongitudinal direction 18, in several stages. Preferably, several rowsof pads are arranged (along the transversal plane 19) and these pads 4can form columns along the longitudinal direction 18. A staggereddistribution is also possible, the pads 4 of two superposed rows thusbeing laterally offset. The suitable number of pads 4 depends, inparticular, on the form and on the height of the pads, as well as therelative position thereof and the distribution thereof to the surface ofthe cup. It also depends on the weight and the dimensions of the bottle,in particular on the height thereof. Advantageously, the pads 4 aredistributed over one or more rows, more specifically over 1 to 10 rows,for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. The suitable number ofrows of pads, the dimension of the pads and the arrangement of the padscan be determined for each bottle by tests such as those described inthe examples.

The example of FIG. 2 illustrates these possibilities. In particular,the first cup 2 includes pads 4 organised in two rows. The pads 4 of therows are strictly superposed, so as to be aligned along the longitudinaldirection 18. The second cup 3 itself has three rows of pads 4.Furthermore, these rows do not have the same spacing between the pads 4even though the latter are not aligned along the longitudinal direction18. It will be noted that the density of pads 4 is greater in theintermediate row which is intended to be applied at the level of theconvex portion of the shoulder 12.

FIG. 3 has an alternative constitution of the cups 2 and 3. The base 20and 30 of the cups 2 and 3 is of the same form as in the case of FIG. 2.This portion forms, in both cases, the envelope of which the innerportion is applied on the outer wall of the bottle. However, the pads 4are of different forms. Generally, the pads 4 include a proximal end 40at the level of the connection thereof with the base of the cupconsidered, a trunk 42 projecting from the proximal end 40 in thedirection of a peak 41. Preferably, the peak of the pads is pointed, oris flat (or of rectilinear profile in at least one direction of thespace) or also of convex form. It does not thus form a high crater.

In the case of FIG. 2, the pads 4 are ellipsoidal forms, in particularhalf-ellipsoids, for example solid. The proximal end 40 thereof formstherefore an ellipsis at the junction with the base of the cup and thepeak 41 is the distal end of a convex profile. In the case illustrated,the large axis of the elliptic form is directed in the transversal plane19, but it could also be directed along the longitudinal direction 18 oralong other orientations. Other curved forms are also possible.

In the case of FIG. 4, two rows of pads 4 aligned along the longitudinaldirection 18 are formed on each of the cups 2 and 3. In this example,the pads 4 are truncated pyramids: the proximal end 40 thereof forms arectangular or square closed contour at the level of the junction withthe base of the cup, the trunk 42 is forms of four sides organised asthe phases of a pyramid, and the peak 41 corresponds to across-sectional plane of this geometric pyramid. This example can begeneralised to other forms of trunk 42 formed on the base of apolyhedron. FIG. 4 moreover shows that the pads 4 can join at the levelof the base, as is the case for the second cup 3 in this figure.However, the pads 4 of the first cup 2 have distant proximal ends 40 soas to completely space the pads 4 apart, not only at the level of thetrunks 42 thereof and the peaks 41 thereof, but also at the level of thebases thereof.

It is advantageous that the pads are arranged equidistantly todistribute the contact surface with the ground and therefore todistribute the mechanical effects of the shocks on a plurality of pads.

For example, a bottle of which the body has a diameter comprised between64.8 and 67.2 mm can be equipped. In this context, at least two rows,even at least three rows of pads can be formed by cups. Each row of padshas an annular carrier which preferably extends along the transversalplane. A row can comprise at least five pads and possibly at least tenpads. The projection that represents a pad is advantageously of at least5 mm, preferably at least 7 mm; it can be less than 10 mm.

The pads 4 or some of them can be empty, hollow or solid:

-   -   by “empty”, this means that the damping pad 4 has an inner        cavity which forms a pocket surrounded by material forming the        pad 4, for example made of elastomer, and containing air. This        pocket is however not systematically airtight, insofar as the        material can be porous or insofar as at least one of the walls        of the pocket can have air vents. However, generally, the pocket        defines a closed volume, surrounded by a mainly continuous wall.        Thus, a cell or an air cell filled with air is defined, and the        compression of the air contributes to the damping. FIG. 5 gives        an example of configuration of pads 4 including a closed inner        cavity 43 forming an air pocket, preferably sealed, the inner        cavity 43 and the outer wall of the bottle being separated by        the base 20 of the cup (here, this is not limiting of the first        cup 2).    -   by “hollow”, this means that the damping pad 4 is not delimited        by a bottom in contact with the bottle 1. The inner cavity of        the pad 4 thus opens out over the outer wall of the bottle 1; in        this configuration, the contact between the base 20, 30 of the        cup 2, 3 and the outer wall of the bottle 1 is discontinuous, as        interrupted to the right of the mouths of the inner cavities of        the pads 4; the flexibility of the pads 4 can be increased by        this means. FIG. 6 has this hollow solution, the inner cavity 43        of the pads 4 opening out at the level of the outer wall of the        bottle 1.    -   by “solid”, this means that the damping pad 4 forms a solid        element, filled with material. FIG. 4 has such a configuration,        wherein the pads 4 are totally filled with material. The pads 4        are thus in the physical continuity of the material of the base        20, 30 of the cup considered, here the first cup 2. The proximal        end 40 of the pads 4 is, moreover represented as the junction        point with the base 20.

When the damping element is solid, preferably an elastomer is used, forexample thermoplastic, having a lower Shore hardness than for an emptyor hollow damper. An elastomer having a Shore A hardness going from 20to 95 can be suitable. Advantageously, the Shore A hardness goes from 20to 85, preferably from 50 to 85, even more preferably from 75 to 85, forexample, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85. In this case,the energy due to the shock is absorbed by the deformation of thematerial. According to a preferred variant, an elastomer silicone isused, having a Shore A hardness going advantageously from 50 to 85,preferably from 75 to 85, for example, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of about 80.According to another preferred variant, a thermoplastic elastomerpolyurethane (TPE-U or TPU) is used, having a Shore A hardness of 50 to85, preferably from 75 to 85, for example, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,82, 83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of about 85.

When the damping element is empty or hollow, an elastomer can beresorted to, for example thermoplastic, having a Shore A hardness of atleast 80, advantageously of at least 85, more advantageously of at least90, and preferably of at least or equal to 95.

In the present application, the Shore A hardness of the elastomer isdetermined according to the standard ATSM-2240 (Standard Test Method forRubber Property—Durometer Hardness).

It will be noted that it is possible to equip pads 4 with the portion 22for covering the bottom 10 of the bottle 1, even if this is notrepresented. Generally, the pads 4 can be installed at any useful placeof either of the cups 2 and 3. According to another possibility, theportion 22 is equipped with a suction cup arranged on the outer wall ofthe portion 22 so as to favour the adherence by vacuum effect on asurface.

The device for protecting bottles can be usefully implemented and usedto prevent the falling of the bottle by offering an improved gripping ofthe bottle by consumers/operators, to protect the bottle from breakingin case of falling, as well as to protect the content of the bottle froma degradation following the shock resulting from a falling of thebottle. The device is particularly adapted to the protection of bottlesand the content thereof in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic field, butalso to protect bottles in the agribusiness or general commodity fields(oils, vinegars, wines, dangerous products, etc.).

The cups can be formed by injection, preferably by injection with onesingle material, by overmoulding, by bi-injection, by 3D printing, bythermoforming, by thermocompression, or also by injection moulding.

3D printing can be advantageously used for manufacturing cups includingempty damping pads and/or having a reading window in the form of arecess or a plurality of recesses arranged, for example, in thelongitudinal direction of the bottle. Moreover, 3D printing can also beused to manufacture cups formed of a transparent or translucid material(by using materials of 3D printing technology having properties adaptedto form a transparent surface).

Thermocompression and injection moulding are advantageously used for themanufacture of cups including solid or hollow pads. When the materialused is an elastomer silicone, the cups are preferably manufactured bythermocompression, for example in a vulcanising press.

In another variant, the present technique relates to a device forprotecting against shocks capable of equipping a bottle 1, having acylindrical body 11 of completed revolution, at a first end, by a bottom10 and at a second end opposite the first end by a distal portionsuccessively comprising from the body 11, along a longitudinal directionof the bottle 1, a shoulder 12, a collar 15 and a neck 16, said devicecomprising a first cup 2 configured to engage fixedly with the bottom 10of the bottle 1 and a second cup 3 configured to engage fixedly with theshoulder 12 of the bottle 1, each of the first and second cups 2, 3having a portion for damping shocks capable of projecting, along atransversal plane 19 which is perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection 18, beyond a zone of larger diameter of the bottle 1, whereinthe portion projecting from the damping portion of at least one fromamong the first 2 and the second cup 3 is made of an elastomer,preferably an elastomer silicone or a thermoplastic elastomerpolyurethane (TPE-U or TPU). This aspect forms an aspect separable fromthe present application, which could be implemented separately from theembodiments considered above, in particular in reference to the casesillustrated.

Abovementioned international application WO2014128179 A1 describes adevice for protecting against shocks comprising an upper shell and alower shell each including a stiffness in the form of a circular volumewhich extends projecting from the inner face of the cup making itpossible to protect the vial in case of shock. Said stiffness can alsobe oriented longitudinally with respect to the vial. The cups have formswhich define with the wall of the vial, annular volumes filled with airwhich contribute to the absorption of shocks. The cups are formed of aninjectable resin. The polymer used to manufacture cups described in thisapplication is low-density polyethylene. The hardness of such materialsis generally measured on the Shore D scale and is of the order of 60.

The inventors of the present application have highlighted that a deviceaccording to this variant makes it possible, with equal geometricconfiguration but formed of an elastomer, to significantly improve theresistance of a bottle during a fall. The device also makes it possibleto avoid a thermoretractable sleeve, thus resulting in a saving ofmaterial and to avoid subjecting the product contained in the bottle toheat.

According to this variant, the damping portion can advantageously be aplurality of pads such as described above or a solid, empty or hollowannular volume. Preferably, the annular volume is empty. The annularvolume preferably extends over the whole of the circumference of thebottle and advantageously forms a projection of constant thickness, inthe form of a toroid, for example or of another form of protrusion.

The features relating to the forms of the cups, the pads, the materials,as well as all the advantageous features are also valid for thisvariant, subject to them not being technically incompatible.

Thus, advantageously, when the damping element is empty or hollow, anelastomer can be resorted to, having a Shore A hardness of at least 80,advantageously of at least 85, more advantageously of at least 90, andpreferably of at least or equal to 95. When the damping element issolid, advantageously an elastomer is used, having a Shore A hardnessgoing from 20 to 95. More advantageously, the Shore A hardness goes from20 to 85, advantageously from 50 to 85, preferable from 75 to 85, forexample, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85. According to apreferred variant, an elastomer silicone is used, having a Shore Ahardness going advantageously from 50 to 85, preferably from 75 to 85,for example, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, inparticular having a Shore A hardness of about 80. According to anotherpreferred variant, a thermoplastic elastomer polyurethane (TPE-U or TPU)is used, having a Shore A hardness going advantageously from 50 to 85,preferably from 75 to 85, for example, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of about 85. Inthis case, the energy due to the shock is absorbed by the deformation ofthe material.

A protocol used to test the effectiveness of the different protectivedevices is described below:

A 250 ml vial filled with water is equipped with the device formed of athermoplastic elastomer polyurethane (TPE-U or TPU) (Shore hardness85A). The lower cup covers about 30% of the low portion of the vial(bottom included) and the upper cup itself also covers about 30% of theouter surface of the vial. The overall thickness of the projectingportion and of the base is 7 mm and the vial has a diameter of 66 mm.

It is dropped on a building block in order to simulate a concrete floor,that it can be considered as an extreme case, from different heights (80cm or 120 cm) and in a situation, wherein the vial is coated.

When the vial has resisted; it is dropped a second time. If the vial hasresisted again, it is dropped under the same conditions a third time.

Each device for protecting against the shocks is tested ten times.

The results are expressed as a percentage of the number of vials intactas follows:

-   -   1^(st) throw: 8 vials out of 10 resistant=80%    -   2^(nd) throw: 4 vials out of initial 10 resistant=40%    -   3^(rd) throw: 2 vials out of initial 10 resistant=20%

The results have been as follows:

Test Vial with two cups Configuration Configuration Vial with two cupsmade of elastomer of corresponding corresponding made of low-density thethermoplastic to FIG. 3, the pads to FIG. 3, the pads polyethylene(Shore D polyurethane type (Shore being solid, with being empty withCoated vial hardness 60) each A hardness 85) each two cups made of twocups made of (falling Empty including an empty including an emptythermoplastic polyurethane thermoplastic polyurethane height 80 cm) vialannular volume annular volume (Shore A hardness 85) (Shore A hardness95) Fall 1/3 0% 60% 80% 100% 100% Fall 2/3 0% 40% 40% 100% 100% Fall 3/30% 20% 40% 100%  90%

When the dampers are of equivalent form (empty damping volume), theresistance to the shock is very clearly improved with a device formed ofan elastomer material (Shore A hardness 85) instead of low-densitypolyethylene.

It will be noted that with an equivalent material, the present of padsforming a discontinuous damping surface very clearly improves theresistance to shocks with respect to a continuous damping surface.

It has been observed that the gripping of a bottle equipped with thedevice is particular good (better than that of a bottle without deviceand better than that of a bottle equipped with two cups, each includingan empty annular protrusion). The pads distributed over the cupscontribute actively to the improved ergonomics and the visibility of thewater level contained in the bottle is excellent.

By implementing the same protocol as above, tests are carried out withthe following cups:

-   -   a) Configuration corresponding to FIG. 3, the pads being solid,        with two thermoplastic elastomer polyurethane (Shore A        hardness 85) obtained by 3D printing:

Position of the vial Coated Coated Upright (falling height) (80 cm) (120cm) (120 cm) Fall 1 90% 90% 60% Fall 2 90% 90% 60% Fall 3 90% 90% 60%

-   -   b) Configuration corresponding to FIG. 3, the pads being solid,        with two SEBS-based thermoplastic elastomer        (polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene) having a        Shore A hardness of 60, obtained by injection:

Position of the vial Coated Coated Upright (falling height) (80 cm) (120cm) (120 cm) Fall 1 100% 80% 10%  Fall 2 100% 60% 0% Fall 3 100% 40% 0%

-   -   c) Configuration corresponding to FIG. 3, the pads being solid,        with two elastomer silicon cups (Shore hardness 80A, Cenusil® R        commercialised by the company Wacker Chemie), obtained by        thermocompression:

Position of the vial Coated Coated Upright (falling height) (80 cm) (120cm) (120 cm) Fall 1 90% 90% 90% Fall 2 90% 90% 90% Fall 3 90% 90% 40%

REFERENCES

-   -   1. Bottle    -   10. bottom    -   11. body    -   12. shoulder    -   13. first connection    -   14. second connection    -   15. collar    -   16. neck    -   17. mouth    -   18. longitudinal direction    -   19. transversal plane    -   2. First cup    -   20. base    -   21. cylindrical portion    -   22. bottom covering portion    -   3. Second cup    -   30. base    -   31. cylindrical portion    -   32. shoulder covering portion    -   4. Pads    -   40. proximal end    -   41. peak    -   42. trunk    -   43. inner cavity

1. A device for protecting against shocks capable of equipping a bottle,having a cylindrical body of revolution ended, at a first end, by abottom and, at a second end opposite the first end, by a distal portionsuccessively comprising the body, along a longitudinal direction of thebottle, a shoulder, a collar and a neck, said device comprising a firstcup configured to engage with the bottom of the bottle and a second cupconfigured to engage with the shoulder of the bottle, each of the firstcup and second cup having a damping portion of the shocks capable ofprojecting, along a transversal plane which is perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction, beyond a zone of larger diameter of the bottle,wherein the portion projecting from the damping portion of at least onefrom among the first cup and the second cup includes a plurality ofdamping pads spaced apart from one another, the plurality of pads beingregularly distributed along the transversal plane, wherein the pluralityof pads is made of elastomer.
 2. The device according to the claim 1,wherein the first cup and the second cup include a plurality of pads andat least one portion of the plurality of pads is arranged in a ringalong the transversal plane.
 3. The device according to the claim 1,wherein at least one from among the first cup and the second cupincludes a base having an inner hollow portion of circular cross-sectionalong the transversal plane, the inner portion being capable of engagingby contact with the circumferential surface of the bottle, the pluralityof damping pads being carried by an outer portion of the base.
 4. Thedevice according to the claim 3, wherein the pads of the plurality ofpads each include a peak, the cumulated surface area of the peaks beingless than 75% of that of the outer portion of the base.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein elastomer is selected from among naturalrubber, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and elastomer silicones.
 6. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality ofpads is solid and is made of a material which has a Shore A hardnesscomprised between 20 and
 95. 7. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe material is an elastomer silicone which has a Shore A hardness goingfrom about 75 to about 85, preferably of about 80 or an elastomerpolyurethane (TPE-U or TPU) which has a Shore A hardness going fromabout 75 to about 85, preferably of about
 85. 8. The device according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of pads has an innercavity.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the inner cavityopens out at the level of the inner portion of the base.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of padshaving an inner cavity is made of a material which has a Shore Ahardness greater than 80, advantageously greater than 90, and preferablygreater than
 95. 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of pads comprise at least one pad of form selected from among:a polyhedron such as a truncated pyramid, a nib of circular or squarecross-section, a mushroom, a half-sphere, a cone or a cone frustum, ahalf-ellipsoid.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein at leastone from among the first cup and the second cup is made of anon-thermosetting material.
 13. The device according to claim 1, whereinat least one from among the first cup and the second cup comprises apreferable rupture zone, preferably in the longitudinal direction of thebottle.
 14. A shock-resistant container, comprising: a bottle,preferably a glass bottle, having a cylindrical body of revolutionended, at a first end, by a bottom and, at a second end opposite thefirst end by a distal portion successively comprising from the bodyalong a longitudinal direction of the bottle, a shoulder, a collar and aneck, and a device according to claim
 1. 15. The container according toclaim 14, wherein the bottle contains a pharmaceutical product,preferably for veterinary use.
 16. The container according to claim 14,wherein the first cup and the second cup are separated and spaced apartalong the longitudinal direction.
 17. The container according to claim14, wherein the second cup covers the shoulder.
 18. The device accordingto claim 4, wherein the cumulated surface area of the peaks is less than65% of the outer portion of the base.
 19. The device according to claim6, wherein the Shore A hardness is between 20 and
 85. 20. The deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the Shore A hardness is between 50 and 85.